About The Crusader

History is sometimes crude enough to sweep the truth under the carpet and this is more true in India. India is a wonder nation which can conceal so much that there is no parallel to it in the world. The world has debated racism and other kinds of discrimination; caste discrimination, much worse than racism, is yet to be known and world community is to rise to the occasion. Dr. Udit Raj, earlier known as Ram Raj, was born in a small village – Ram Nagar of Allahabad District in the largest populated state – Uttar Pradesh - in India. His schooling was done in the village and in 1979; he registered himself in Allahabad University for bachelors course. Due to his involvement in student politics, he could not engage himself in seriousness in studies. Meanwhile, he joined Jawahar Lal Nehru University in New Delhi. He did it in 1980 in German language course. Too much of social and political problems did not allow him to devote proper time to his studies. However, he completed bachelors and masters degrees and of course, in different streams like Political Science, Economics and Philosophy. Throughout his studies, he was working for Dalits and oppressed, and busy in student politics. Coerced by the situation, he had to take up Civil Services Competitive Examination. He succeeded to get into Indian Revenue Service, one of the best government jobs in the country.

During training of Indian Revenue Service, he met a wonderful girl – Seema Raj and same wavelength in both finally resulted into wedlock. Both of them got posted together. The first child, named Abhiraj, was born to them in 1991 and now he is in 12th Standard and second one – Saveri is 1996 born and studying in class seventh.
Then Ram Raj jumped into struggle in 1997 to save reservation. Reservation is the scheme which ensures participation of Dalits in politics and government jobs. Presence of Dalits in government jobs is in millions and of course, this is the main instrument to empower them economically. This is the constitutional commitment, yet it is herculean task to get it implemented. The higher judiciary, namely Supreme Court and High Courts are hell bent to dilute whatever rights are due to dalits. Based on Supreme Court pronouncement, five anti-reservation orders were issued to dilute reservation. Pained by this catastrophe, then Ram Raj gave a call to unite dalit employees in the country under the aegis of the newly floated All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations. In 1997, 98, 99 and 2000, massive rallies were organized in the capital of India – New Delhi. The struggle impacted the government which finally paved the three Constitutional amendments to restore the benefits already withdrawn. This was a major achievement through the leadership of Ram Raj.
The exploitation of Dalits is mainly spiritual and cultural. They are made to believe themselves as inferior. Hinduism assigns the reason that the sins committed in the past life determine the birth of Dalits in low caste. Over the centuries this propaganda has been perpetuated, and that is why not only this manifests through Hinduism but it has become dominant culture of the society. Had it not been so, revolution would have occurred first in India instead of in France, China, Russia and other parts of the world. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, savior of dalits, drafted the Indian Constitution and he exhorted dalits to quit Hinduism. On 14th October, 1956 hundreds of thousands of dalits embraced Buddhism under his leadership to escape from the tyranny of Hinduism. Similarly, on November 4, 2001 Ram Raj led hundreds of thousands of Dalits to embrace Buddhism. It was during this event that he changed his name to Udit Raj (Udit means “one who has risen”) and dropped “Ram” from his name as “Ram” is a Hindu god. Many hurdles were created by the government at the center which was led by the right wing party – Bhartiya Janta Party. This shook Hinduism and right wing fanatics even wanted to eliminate this unsung hero. Had there not been world media support, this could have happened also.

Dalits were coming up but liberalization, globalization and privatization stopped their progress. It so happened that upper castes, who monopolized education and technology for a millennia, could grab the knowledge of English, computers, modern technology of Western nations and U.S.. Once again, the upper castes could get opportunity to outweigh dalits by privatization. Since private factories, industries and business enterprises are owned by them, they will not let dalits in. Earlier, at least, some jobs were available to dalits but now even that is far from dalits’ reach. Dr. Udit Raj again rose to the occasion to build nationwide movement to have reservation in private sector. The movement impacted the government and theoretically it became possible. The present government in New Delhi, while drawing its Common Minimum Programme to run the government, included the agenda of reservation in private sector. Unfortunately this is still to be realized; one, the upper caste led political parties do not want it from inner core and secondly, industrialists are opposing it tooth and nail. So called upper caste businessmen are first casteists, then industrialists, businessmen and any other thing. Day to day discrimination of dalits like murder, rape, torture can’t be stopped unless dalits are spiritually and economically liberated. There are lot of human right activities inside India and outside also;however, they highlight isolated incidents of murder, torture and discrimination of dalits but that is not going to change the social and political system to make dalits live a dignified and respectful life. Here is the difference between other dalit activists and supporters vis-à-vis this unsung hero. Most of dalit activists are engaged in takeover paper work and networking, sometimes that helps in globalizing the issue but system remains the same. Dr. Udit Raj wants to change the system and the world community including, of course, Human Rights Council, can work as a catalyst.

It may be a little surprising as to how outside forces can influence so much domestic policy of a sovereign nation state but globalization has that capacity. Lots of investments from European countries and US are flowing into India, dalits can participate in these economic activities. Revolution in information can’t hide anything for even a second and therefore, human rights organizations and other global fora can swoop down immediately wherever there are violations of human rights and deprivation of basic needs available to any other citizen of that nation state. Human resources are being imported on a large scale, preference can be given to dalits by giving them jobs in western countries and other developed nations.

Dr. Udit Raj is Member of National Integration Council, Government of India, which is headed by Indian Prime Minister. This is one of the highest bodies of the government. He is National Chairman of Buddha Education Foundation and All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations. In 2003, Indian Justice Party was floated by him. He is heading many other organizations like Dalit International Foundation, Lord Buddha Club. For problems dealing with Kashmir issues, there is a Steering Committee at international level, promoted by eminent personality Majid Tramboo, based at Brussels; Dr. Udit Raj is member of this committee also. Dalit Freedom Network is an International Organisation, promoted by Dr. Joseph D’souza; Dr. Udit Raj is in its board. For religious freedom and social work, he was awarded degree of doctorate in humanities by Bible College and Seminary, Kota, Rajasthan This mission is led by Dr. M.A. Thomas. He has done M.A in Political Science, besides Bachelor of Law. Dr. Udit Raj is voracious reader and knows very many subjects. His articles and editorials appear in reputed newspapers and magazines. His own fortnightly newspaper, “Voice of Buddha” which has a wide circulation and is in print for more than a decade now, highlights the dilemma of the weak and exploited including dalits, minorities, women etc. A compilation of his writings titled “Dalit and Religious Freedom” was released by famous Congressman, Joseph Pitts in the US in 2005. Its Hindi version is also available. Taxation and finance subjects are also of much interest to him as he resigned from the post of Additional Commissioner of Income Tax.

- Prashant Kapoor
46-D, Lekhram Road,
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Tel: 91-9811244317,
Email: prashantkapoor@indiatimes.com
dr.uditraj@gmail.com